Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD) Publications

Personal Leadership Skills

This publication explores why are we driven to exert effort toward accomplishing one thing but not
another? Motivation, as a concept, explains why people think and behave the way they do. Web only.
(4/3/2012)

Everyone has the opportunity to be a leader at some time, so it is important that every person have a
strong understanding of what leadership is, what good leadership looks like, and how it can vary between
genders. Learning about leadership will make you much more effective the next time it is your turn to
lead. Web only. (1/6/2011)

There are a number of ways to respond to conflict, and the response will depend on the situation.
Avoiding, accommodating, competing, compromising, and collaborating are all responses to conflict. Web
only. (1/6/2011)

Followers, co-workers or family members who have shared the same experiences can view the same
situations or recall specific events so differently. These differences in perspective can often be
attributed to generational differences. Each generation has marked strengths as well as challenges,
which both contribute to their leadership style. Web only.

Fundamentally, leadership involves human interaction. The essence of who we are has been shaped by the
influence of our culture and personal environment. These factors are reflected in our skills, interests,
and abilities which ultimately help us to reach our leadership potential. Web only.

Successful public speaking is an important communications tool used by any leader. To be a truly
effective public speaker, one must first realize the different types of speeches available and when to
use them, understand the integrity necessary for successful audience interaction, and learn how to
minimize anxiety when speaking in public. Web only.

Organizational Leadership Skills

Culture gives meaning to life and is especially important within the context of organizations. A thorough
knowledge of your organization’s culture can lead to improved leadership, better community
engagement, and ideally, organizational growth. This factsheet provides a general definition of culture,
outlines the basic levels of culture, and discusses the effects of positive and toxic cultures. Web
only.

A vision statement is an organization’s way of outlining its desired future; it illustrates
important goals and reflects the core values of the organization. The value of a good vision statement
cannot be underestimated. This factsheet compares a vision and mission statement, provides a clear step
by step process for developing a vision statement, and outlines pitfalls to avoid. Web only.

To effectively provide quality educational and service programs, community organizations need to engage
many volunteers, members and leaders. The GEMS (Generate, Educate, Mobilize, Sustain) model of volunteer
involvement provides a strong foundation for any type of civic engagement. This factsheet is an
extensive review of the GEMS model. Web only.

Successful organizations consist of people who serve their community by engaging their creative talents
to serve the organization as well as the community. But – What type of participant should your
recruitment target? This factsheet focuses on the “G”(Generate) of the GEMS model. More
specifically, it illustrates the difference between members, volunteers, and leaders, discusses how to
assess the “people” needs of your organization, and outlines how to develop a recruitment
plan. Web only.

A SWOT analysis is a deliberate planning method used to evaluate the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities
and Threats associated with a project. Before you try to determine a strategy to address your community
issue, you need to evaluate the factors that may affect your decision. A SWOT analysis will do just
that. This factsheet outlines what a SWOT analysis is, gives step-by-step guidelines on how to
effectively facilitate a SWOT analysis, and provides suggestions on how to interpret your results.

Creating an action plan can benefit community organizations by refining the organization’s focus,
providing direction, and giving volunteers opportunities for increased involvement. Many community
organizations suffer from a lack of direction or relevancy; developing and implementing an action plan
can cure these symptoms, and breathe new life into the organization. This factsheet provides extensive
detail on how to organize and prepare for, develop and implement a successful action plan for your
organization or community.

Educating adds stability to organizations and enables and empowers its membership to more effectively
represent, lead and serve. This factsheet focuses extensively on the “Educate” aspect of the
GEMS model of volunteer involvement, which includes the subcategories of orient, protect, resource and
teach.

Mobilizing individuals to engage and serve the organization is beneficial to any community group.
Mobilizing adds the “hands” and “feet” to community organizations and empowers
its membership; without engaged, mobilized members, volunteers and leaders, the benefit of an
organization cannot be extended into the community. This factsheet centers on the “Mobilize”
aspect of the GEMS model of volunteer involvement, which includes the steps engage, motivate and
supervise.

Sustaining members, volunteers and leaders is imperative to the continued health and well-being of any
community organization. Sustaining adds stability, credibility and continuity to organizations. This
factsheet focuses exclusively on the “Sustain” aspect of the GEMS model of volunteer
involvement, which includes the steps: evaluate, recognize, and either retain, redirect or
disengage.

Everyone, from grant funders to taxpayers, wants to know if programs are worth the investment. Effective evaluation can help demonstrate this. This factsheet provides a working definition of evaluation, along with clear strategies on how to engage community members and volunteers in the evaluation process. Ultimately, the goal is to help communicate a message that promotes the value of a community, organization or program.

Mobilizing individuals to engage and serve the organization is beneficial to any community group.
Mobilizing adds the “hands” and “feet” to community organizations and empowers
its membership; without engaged, mobilized members, volunteers and leaders, the benefit of an
organization cannot be extended into the community. This factsheet centers on the “Mobilize”
aspect of the GEMS model of volunteer involvement, which includes the steps engage, motivate and
supervise.

Community Leadership Skills

A coalition can be defined as two or more organizations working together to reach a common goal. These goals may include changing or creating public policy, influencing individual behavior or building a healthier community. Coalitions tend to be a lot of work and usually take a large commitment of both time and energy. However, sometimes a coalition is needed when one group or organization doesn’t have the people power or resources to make a real impact on an issue. This factsheet outlines the definition and functions of a coalition, when you should form a coalition, and discusses its advantages and disadvantages.

So you have decided to form a coalition. You are probably very excited and dedicated. Now that you are ready to move forward, what do you do next? How do you start a coalition? What makes a coalition successful? Do you have a plan? This factsheet outlines how to start a coalition, tips on effectively maintaining a coalition and overall keys to success. Coalitions with a plan usually result in better service and higher end products for everyone involved. By joining together to work towards a common goal, great things can happen.

As a community leader, it is important to understand the important role power plays within all communities. Community power can be defined as the ability to affect the distribution of resources within a community. Due to its connection to resources, power within communities may lead to confrontation, conflict or even a political divide. But it doesn't have to. Empowerment—the ability to enable or share power—can be encouraged within the community context. This factsheet provides a traditional definition of community power, a basic outline of community power structure, and various approaches on how to bring the right “power players” to the table when making community decisions.

As United States citizens, we understand the importance of being able to express our views and opinions as well as to listen to those of others. While we may not always agree, we value the person's right to speak. Public forums provide a structured way for communities to come together to foster understanding and work toward finding solutions to community problems. This fact sheet provides a working definition of a community forum, outlines key elements when conducting a community forum, and offers options for follow up.